Chapter 124: Mamen, Do You Really Think You're Invincible?

You guess?

Guess my ass!

Daigo's composure was starting to crack; his mind was in utter chaos right now, after all, Mamen was holding his father's phone — that was genuinely terrifying.

"Friendly reminder, I'm at Devon Corporation right now, Teacher Daigo."

Mamen's tone was leisurely and carefree as he walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked out over the city of Kanaz. As a city that pursued the fusion of nature and science, Kanaz's greenery was exceptionally well done.

The entire city lay beneath his feet, and Mamen's mood at this moment was excellent.

"President Zuvuki is right beside me."

"Mamen! Calm down, do you know what you're doing right now?"

Daigo's breath hitched, but he still did his utmost to force himself to stay calm.

He didn't understand why Mamen had gone to Devon Corporation, why he was holding his father hostage.

"I'm perfectly calm. The main reason I came today was to discuss some old personal matters with President Zuvuki."

Old personal matters?

Daigo was stunned by the words. Did Mamen have some past grudge with his father? That shouldn't be — Mamen had never even been to Hoenn before, had he?

"Whatever it is, I hope you won't hurt my father, Mamen." Daigo's tone was very heavy.

"This matter has nothing to do with me. But I did hear that you people over there, Teacher Daigo, have brought in some people to deal with me?"

Mamen patted the chair, and Zuvuki Hibiscus sensibly stood up; Mamen unceremoniously sat down.

As expected of the Devon President's chair — very soft, very comfortable.

"……"

Daigo's expression was not pleasant. Mamen's words meant he already knew the news that the Hoenn League had brought in other Champions?

That wasn't right — how did Mamen know? A mole? Or had Team Rocket already infiltrated the League?

Daigo's thoughts raced quickly. Was it the Kanto League's side? Team Rocket had only just arrived in Hoenn, they couldn't possibly have planted a mole inside the League already.

"I really didn't expect — are you people under that much pressure, Teacher Daigo? You're actually borrowing Trainers from other regional Leagues."

Mamen's smiling voice was very relaxed and breezy, not showing the slightest hint of pressure.

"Mamen, if you're willing to surrender now, I can plead with the League on your behalf." Since Mamen already knew, Daigo simply spoke up directly.

"Oh?" Mamen's lips curved slightly upward.

"You think pulling in a few Trainers means you can fight Team Rocket? Teacher Daigo, you're looking down on us far too much."

Mamen's voice was half-mocking, half-derisive.

"Stop talking big, Mamen. Do you really think you're invincible?"

Teacher Mikoli's voice, laced with anger, came through — clearly, Teacher Daigo was right beside Daigo.

"If not, then why are you using President Zuvuki as a hostage?"

"Ha~ so that's what you people think? In that case, I'll be waiting for you all at Devon Corporation. You'd better prepare well — after all, President Zuvuki is in my hands right now."

Mamen gave a light laugh and hung up the phone.

"What on earth… do you people want?"

Zuvuki Hibiscus was completely baffled. Weren't these three here to cause trouble for him?

How did they suddenly get tangled up with Daigo? And… Team Rocket?

Zuvuki Hibiscus keenly caught the key point in Mamen's earlier words — wasn't Team Rocket that evil organization from Kanto?

"No need to panic, President Zuvuki. Since Hikari-na spoke up, we won't hurt you." Mamen spoke unhurriedly.

"But you're now a prisoner of Team Rocket, so you can't just do nothing."

Mamen thought for a moment — at any rate, he had now kidnapped the president of Devon Corporation.

Zuvuki Hibiscus: "……"

"Devon Corporation is such a large enterprise — investing a little funding into our organization shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"……No problem." Zuvuki Hibiscus was silent for a moment; this was the first time he'd encountered a robber who was still this polite.

But if it was just money, it was nothing to him at all.

"Then please transfer the funds into this account, President Zuvuki. As for the amount…"

"Would ten billion be acceptable?"

"Tsk~ As expected of President Zuvuki, very generous." Mamen clicked his tongue.

"I know my sins can never be repaid. This funding is my personal compensation to you, Young Lady — you can set your mind at ease on that point." Zuvuki Hibiscus looked toward Hikari-na and sighed.

"Heh…" Hikari-na gave a cold laugh, her heart utterly unmoved.

"I don't need these things, Zuvuki Hibiscus. If you truly feel guilty toward my sister, then give me the list of names of those who participated in that incident back then."

"……I understand." Zuvuki Hibiscus was silent for a long while before nodding.

After making the call to transfer the funds, Zuvuki Hibiscus pulled out a file folder from the very bottom of his desk — inside was precisely the participant list for that year's "Rayquaza Capture Plan."

"If possible, I hope you'll leave now. When Daigo and the others arrive, I'll tell them you didn't do anything." Zuvuki Hibiscus said in a low voice.

"I don't know how strong you people are, but you definitely are no match for the Hoenn League."

"President Zuvuki is underestimating us. Compared to that, you might want to send the people in your company home for the day."

Mamen sat with one leg crossed over the other, flipping through a document on "∞ Energy" with great interest.

'∞ Energy' is a special energy converted from the life energy of Pokémon, also known as Living Energy.

And this was also the technology Zuvuki Hibiscus specialized in.

The first operation of life energy actually occurred three thousand years ago, in the Kalos region of three thousand years past — the 'Ultimate Weapon' built by AZ was driven by the life energy of Pokémon.

And what did AZ use it for? He resurrected the already-dead Florges, causing it to mutate into Eternal Flower.

And due to the illumination of the 'Ultimate Weapon's' light, AZ and Eternal Flower gained immortality.

Later, out of loathing, AZ turned the "Ultimate Weapon" into a weapon that destroyed both sides of the war.

It is worth mentioning that in the game, Professor Sycamore of the Kalos region believed that when the Ultimate Weapon was fired three thousand years ago, Zygarde's (Yveltal's) life energy spread across the entire Kalos region, causing special stones, such as Evolution Stones, to become Mega Evolution Stones.

The main reason the "Rayquaza Capture Plan" succeeded back then was actually the device providing "∞ Energy" supplied by Sycamore.

Devon Corporation initially used a device named "Flower," whose appearance and principle were similar to the Ultimate Weapon, to restrain Rayquaza, which led to Xerneas's death in battle.

Otherwise, given Rayquaza's strength, even if this individual Rayquaza was not strong, it was still of the Rayquaza clan; how could the breakout have failed? And how could its successor have died in battle?

"Give this to Professor Fuchsia; it should give him quite a bit of inspiration."

Mamen thought that although he didn't know if Professor Sycamore's theory was correct, if the birth of Mega Evolution Stones was truly related to life energy, then this data on "∞ Energy" would be very helpful to Professor Fuchsia.

As for whether this was Sycamore's personal technical property? Laughable. Sycamore himself is now a prisoner; does his opinion even need to be considered?

Mamen not tying him up and throwing him in a corner was already Mamen's mercy.

"I understand." Sycamore silently called his secretary, instructing him to notify everyone that the entire company was on holiday and overtime was not allowed.

Lumiose City, the League Building.

"Mamen, what exactly do you intend to do?"

Steven's mood was very heavy; after all, his father was currently in Mamen's hands!

Although Mamen's father was also on his side, was that the same thing?

Steven was very anxious and immediately summoned Cynthia and others to reconvene the meeting.

"Mamen has appeared; he is currently in Rustboro City." Steven's first sentence made Cynthia, Giovanni, and the others pause in surprise.

"We cannot determine if there is a trap, but Mamen is holding my father hostage right in the Devon Corporation building."

Steven said in a deep voice.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's rush over to save him now."

Nemona immediately voiced her opinion; since the opponent's location was confirmed, there was no reason to hesitate.

"Mamen has actually fallen to this extent..." Giovanni's expression tightened.

"Champion Steven, is the information confirmed?" Cynthia's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

"Confirmed. Mamen called me using my father's phone, and he said he is currently at the Devon Corporation."

Steven said in a deep voice.

"Huh? Why would he voluntarily tell us his location?" Hearing this, Nemona was shocked; this didn't seem right.

"Exactly, this is very suspicious. Mamen is not the type of person to be so careless; he has always been very smart and purposeful." Giovanni said in a low voice.

"Regardless of what plan he has, I cannot leave my father unattended, so I must go this time."

Steven's expression was solemn.

Upon hearing this, Giovanni and the other two said nothing more; they could fully understand the urgent feelings of a child towards their parent.

Moreover, ultimately, they had come to help deal with Team Rocket, and now Team Rocket had appeared; could they not go just because they worried the opponent might have some conspiracy?

Impossible.

"But according to Chairman Rose, Champion Diantha is also on her way to Hoenn."

Officer Jenny spoke up to remind them.

"It's too late; we set off for Rustboro City right now. Miss Jenny, please arrange the evacuation of the public near the Devon Corporation in Rustboro City." Steven said in a deep voice.

Although having Diantha would naturally make their strength greater, it would still take several hours for Diantha to fly to Hoenn.

Steven could not wait.

"Understood." Jenny nodded and immediately made the necessary contacts.

"Then let us set off as well."

Steven walked out of the meeting room with decisive speed; one could clearly see the urgency in Steven's heart.

Finally, they could fight Team Rocket!

Nemona immediately stood up and followed, feeling quite excited in her heart; fighting the evil organization Team Rocket!

"Mamen! You are finished!"

Wallace's spirits were also high at this moment; the moment he thought of them defeating Mamen and putting handcuffs on Mamen, Wallace became excited!

Although Champion Diantha probably wouldn't make it in time, that didn't matter!

With so many Champions on their side fighting three Champions of Team Rocket, wouldn't it be a slaughter?

Victory was certain!

(End of Chapter)